Donald Trump puts pressure on the NFL Washington commanders name the planned $3.7 billion stadium after him. He is pursuing the offer through behind-the-scenes negotiations with property owners and by relying on government agencies to approve the project, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.
A senior White House official said Trump conveyed his wishes directly to a member of Josh Harris's ownership group. “This is what the president wants, and it is likely to happen,” the official said. told ESPN. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt added in an email: “It would be a nice name since President Trump is the one who made the new stadium possible.”
The Chiefs declined to comment, but team officials say they have spent several days preparing for Trump's visit to Sunday's home game against the Detroit Lions, where informal discussions about the stadium are expected. No formal negotiations took place.
Trump's push comes as the team prepares to return to RFK Stadium, which served as Washington's home from 1961 to 1996. The new 65,000-seat domed stadium is part of one of the giant mixed-use development projects. which have become fashionable in American sportsopening is planned for 2030.
Although the Commanders own the rights to sponsor a commercial stadium, they cannot unilaterally decide to name a stadium after any individual. The land is controlled by the National Park Service, and the D.C. Council will lease the stadium to the team under legislation it approved in September.
“The team has no authority. They cannot name the stadium themselves,” said a source with direct knowledge of the process. “The city will be involved and the Park Service will be involved.”
These approval levels give Trump significant leverage. As president, he oversees the federal agencies responsible for environmental and land use permitting in the RFK – bottlenecks he could slow down or block if he wanted. “He has cards to play,” one source said. “He could make it very difficult to get this stadium built if people don't support it in the name.”
Trump is not seeking to buy naming rights or involve a private donor, sources said. He wants the stadium to bear his name as a tribute, like Soldier Stadium in Chicago or Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The broader RFK project represents the largest economic development effort in Washington history. Commanders will invest $2.7 billion plus cost overruns, and the district will contribute $1 billion. The redevelopment will include housing, retail and a sports complex on 174 acres.
Trump has repeatedly interfered with commanders' policies. In July, he threatened to block the stadium if the team did not revert to its former Redskins nickname. which was dropped in 2020. Harris' group has shown no interest in revisiting the title, although some fans continue to push for it.
Trump is scheduled to attend Sunday's game as Harris' guest and is expected to attend a military awards ceremony at halftime.
